The European Association of Public Water Operators, Aqua Public Europea (APE), consolidated its initiative Water Erasmus, which establishes a learning network of water experts by promoting short-term staff exchanges amongst APE members. The objective is to develop a common culture of water management and to increase the skills of public water operators dealing with common challenges.

The first staff exchange took place on the Milan-Paris axis between Gruppo CAP (Milan, Italy) and Eau de Paris (Paris, France). "One of the aims of the association," says Alessandro Russo, President of Gruppo CAP and former APE Vice-president "was to share best practices to find together the best solutions to face the challenges ahead. We are convinced that thanks to the exchange of experiences amongst employees of our network, reflections and synergies will continue to ensure the best public management of water in Europe".

Voluntary and collaboration amongst water utilities are the basis of the Water Erasmus project, but also it is also meant to promote the development of a common culture on water management.

"One of the objectives of the project is to promote the cooperation and technical exchanges between public operators, but not only - states Célia Blauel, President of Eau de Paris and President of Aqua Publica Europea - because we want to prove that public water management at European level is based on human relationships, led by women and men open to the world and committed to ensuring the quality and sustainability of the public service".

Through Water Erasmus exchanges, the personnel of public water operators has the opportunity to acquire new knowledge and extend their professional network, whilst at the same time, acquiring new skills from other utilities. These exchanges contribute to continuing Aqua Publica Europea's "learning network" approach to best meet water challenges.